MUSKEGON, MI – One of the old guard in Muskegon hockey history is gone.

Joe Kastelic, who played seven of his 15 pro seasons with Muskegon and retired from the Mohawks in 1968 as the International Hockey League’s all-time leading goal scorer, died Wednesday, July 16. He was 81.

Kastelic was a big part of championship seasons with the Zephyrs and Mohawks and remained in Muskegon after his playing career. He worked in auto sales and real estate after his retirement from hockey.

He was inducted into the Muskegon Area Sports Hall of Fame in 2001.

“I think, overall, he was one of the IHL’s premier hockey players,” said former teammate Bryan McLay, who also was Kastelic’s neighbor on Country Club Drive. “He lived across the street from me. A good buddy, a good friend and a good teammate.”

Kastelic finished a 15-year IHL career as the league’s all-time leader in goal scoring with 551. His record stood for 24 years. Kastelic also had 583 assists and didn't have a season in Muskegon with fewer than 78 points.

Kastelic played left wing on the same line with McLay much of the time in Muskegon.

“He always played very well and scored a lot of goals. He could beat the goaltender one on one,” McLay said. “He was my roommate on the road. Our hockey teams back then were all very close. That’s why we had such good seasons. If you would go out for a beer, we’d all go out. It kept everybody together. It was always like that back then.”

Kastelic, a native of Kirkland Lake, Ontario, is survived by his wife, Stella, a son, Kurt, and two grandchildren, Eric and Glen, who played hockey at Mona Shores.

A memorial service is planned at a later date. Arrangements are being handled by Clock Funeral Home.

Mark Opfermann covers sports for MLive Muskegon Chronicle. Email him at mopferma@mlive.com and follow him on Twitter and Facebook.